Fighting trolls and combating online harassment with Crash Override

2014 was the year when everyone knew what doxing meant: to have your most personal details put online to make you easy to target. One particularly famous victim of doxing was Zoe Quinn, the developer of indie game Depression Quest. Rather than attempt to shut down the legion of people harassing her on the Internet, Quinn just launched an anti-online hate task for called Crash Override.

What is it essentially? It's a network run by people who've experienced online hate and are best placed to help and support those experiencing it right now.

Protecting yourself online

Whatever your feelings about Gamergate, doxing is not an act anyone should condone. But there are ways to protect yourself from vindictive online attacks or at least soften the blow somewhat. The Crash Override Tumblr has a thorough guide to keeping yourself safe online.

As to the site itself, it is fairly straightforward - explaining what the site is about, pointing you towards resources and providing an email address for you to contact if you need support for online abuse.

The site acknowledges that the only measures you can take is preventative - once your information is out there, it's hard to get it removed. Still, in parting words on the guide, it offers some comfort to those who feel victimised online:

"Remember, it’s not your fault if online mobs do someday find your information and try to use it for cyberstalking or intimidation. But if removing your information and securing your online identity can help you have some peace of mind or make it harder for them to do it, and you have the time and desire to do it, it can’t hurt."